[Greywall]

Originally Posted by BMW012

wire charges very slowly lol. even slower than the pad!

Even usb-c in the arm rest? What's the best option then?

[Numark318i]

Originally Posted by BMW012

wire charges very slowly lol. even slower than the pad!

Are you sure about this?

Usb-c apple cable charges my phone 25-50% on my way to work?

[BMW012]

Originally Posted by Numark318i

Are you sure about this?

Usb-c apple cable charges my phone 25-50% on my way to work?

hmmm never tried the one inside the arm rest, have only tried the one next to the cup holders and it charges really slowly for me. I think others have said the same so far.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by BMW012

wire charges very slowly lol. even slower than the pad!

Not in my opinion. Wireless charging wasn't available when our 2022 540 was built due to chip shortages. We use a USB-C to lightning from the back seat controls and whatever is in the center console to Lightning for a second phone.

[YouAreNext]

G30 fits IP 12 pro max without the case

[BMW012]

Originally Posted by G30 B58

Not in my opinion. Wireless charging wasn't available when our 2022 540 was built due to chip shortages. We use a USB-C to lightning from the back seat controls and whatever is in the center console to Lightning for a second phone.

Yep the wire by the cup holders are the standard usb in my 21 M550i at least. very slow for me. slower than the pad.

will try out the one in the arm rest when i get the chance. or maybe as you stated the usb c is faster.

But how do you know if its not slower than the pad if you dont have one?

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by BMW012

Yep the wire by the cup holders are the standard usb in my 21 M550i at least. very slow for me. slower than the pad.

will try out the one in the arm rest when i get the chance. or maybe as you stated the usb c is faster.

But how do you know if its not slower than the pad if you dont have one?

Maybe it depends on the phone? My Galaxy S10+ goes right into "fast charging" mode when I plug into the USB by the cupholders.
Charges very fast for me.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by BMW012

Yep the wire by the cup holders are the standard usb in my 21 M550i at least. very slow for me. slower than the pad.

will try out the one in the arm rest when i get the chance. or maybe as you stated the usb c is faster.

But how do you know if its not slower than the pad if you dont have one?

Yes, the USB inside our armrest is USB-C.

[alvoryx]

Hi

I got my 540i from 2019 since 1 month and what I find crazy and unbelievable is that, somehow, for a car generation that released in 2017 (and already came with options like apple carplay and today android auto), there is no real/proper/clean, in other words "thought about", way to store and charge a normal smartphone.

As to start with, why was the phone expansion size not anticipated and make the goddamn place large enough from the start ?

I am not even talking about wireless charging but simply a logical and straightforward place where to store 1 phone.

Wtf...

And sorry but I don't want to open this double opening arm-rest thing each single time I enter my car as it is non-sense. This arm-rest storage is OK for sunglasses, a purse with coins, candies and anything but not an item you take in and out the car each time.


I don't get it... Other than that the car is of course great but then failing on something so "simple" is not making any kind of sense to me.

So what I do is that I put my old oneplus 12v cigarette lighter adapter which allows me to fast charge.

Any other ports, let it be the USB-C in the arm-rest or the USB-A plug in the center console is only allowing my phone to discharge while running Android auto.

It's nothing less than a 100% fail of BMW on this part.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by alvoryx

Hi

I got my 540i from 2019 since 1 month and what I find crazy and unbelievable is that, somehow, for a car generation that released in 2017 (and already came with options like apple carplay and today android auto), there is no real/proper/clean, in other words "thought about", way to store and charge a normal smartphone.

As to start with, why was the phone expansion size not anticipated and make the goddamn place large enough from the start ?

I am not even talking about wireless charging but simply a logical and straightforward place where to store 1 phone.

Wtf...

And sorry but I don't want to open this double opening arm-rest thing each single time I enter my car as it is non-sense. This arm-rest storage is OK for sunglasses, a purse with coins, candies and anything but not an item you take in and out the car each time.


I don't get it... Other than that the car is of course great but then failing on something so "simple" is not making any kind of sense to me.

So what I do is that I put my old oneplus 12v cigarette lighter adapter which allows me to fast charge.

Any other ports, let it be the USB-C in the arm-rest or the USB-A plug in the center console is only allowing my phone to discharge while running Android auto.

It's nothing less than a 100% fail of BMW on this part.

What you are seeing here is typical BMW. They try and jump on board (late) with obvious features from other car manufacturers and they rush it and get it so wrong. Cup Holders come to mind, it took them 10 years to incorporate useful cupholders.

The mobile charging pad in the pre-LCI G30's is just a useless, small area that doesn't fit phones, charges incredibly slow and overheats your phone. I am guessing the LCI charging pad is similar to my new X5 where the phone slides in at an angle vertically. It works well in my X5, so it didn't take them 10 years this time.

Ironically, my new 15 Pro Max does fit even with a normal case on, but it is tight and the other variables are still there (slow charging and overheating).

Solution for me, when I need a charge which is rare - USB C power plug in the port between the cup holders with a coiled black USB-C cord that I store in the center console when I don't need it. I really have no need to look at my phone in the car with Apple Carplay, so it is usually on my passenger seat or in the door map pocket.

[mobilegun]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

What you are seeing here is typical BMW. They try and jump on board (late) with obvious features from other car manufacturers and they rush it and get it so wrong. Cup Holders come to mind, it took them 10 years to incorporate useful cupholders.

The mobile charging pad in the pre-LCI G30's is just a useless, small area that doesn't fit phones, charges incredibly slow and overheats your phone. I am guessing the LCI charging pad is similar to my new X5 where the phone slides in at an angle vertically. It works well in my X5, so it didn't take them 10 years this time.

Ironically, my new 15 Pro Max does fit even with a normal case on, but it is tight and the other variables are still there (slow charging and overheating).

Solution for me, when I need a charge which is rare - USB C power plug in the port between the cup holders with a coiled black USB-C cord that I store in the center console when I don't need it. I really have no need to look at my phone in the car with Apple Carplay, so it is usually on my passenger seat or in the door map pocket.

It fits smaller phones as everyone knows but is still slow...
Ironically I think the M340 fits a larger phone, albeit barely, but it does work.

I went this route: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09265SVN9
With a small drawer-liner piece beneath it to eliminate sliding, it fits nicely in the center console, and my phone s22ultra fits perfectly, with case, on top and does fast wireless charging. Just tap the side button to turn on, and drop the phone on top and close the bomb doors. When the charger itself gets low, i have a short usb-c cable to recharge it. There are times (rarely) where I may need to continue charging elsewhere and I can take it with me if needed.

Was hoping to just reuse one of the many other batteries I already have but prefer wireless charging versus cable (and in fact have a plug in my usb-c on the phone).

but yes, it's a dumb option since it doesnt work that well in the first place if your phone even fits.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by mobilegun

It fits smaller phones as everyone knows but is still slow...
Ironically I think the M340 fits a larger phone, albeit barely, but it does work.

I went this route: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09265SVN9
With a small drawer-liner piece beneath it to eliminate sliding, it fits nicely in the center console, and my phone s22ultra fits perfectly, with case, on top and does fast wireless charging. Just tap the side button to turn on, and drop the phone on top and close the bomb doors. When the charger itself gets low, i have a short usb-c cable to recharge it. There are times (rarely) where I may need to continue charging elsewhere and I can take it with me if needed.

Was hoping to just reuse one of the many other batteries I already have but prefer wireless charging versus cable (and in fact have a plug in my usb-c on the phone).

but yes, it's a dumb option since it doesnt work that well in the first place if your phone even fits.

Looks creative. Would love to see a few pics of the setup out of curiosity, although I don't think I would go this route as I just don't take long enough road trips to have a need to do this vs. the USB-C cable when I need it once in a blue moon.

Curious, by don't you just keep this thing plugged into the USB-A port in the center console with a USB A male to C male cord?

[mobilegun]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Looks creative. Would love to see a few pics of the setup out of curiosity, although I don't think I would go this route as I just don't take long enough road trips to have a need to do this vs. the USB-C cable when I need it once in a blue moon.

Curious, by don't you just keep this thing plugged into the USB-A port in the center console with a USB A male to C male cord?

I don't typically take longer trips either (ironically just did one though), but it's handy if a passenger needs to charge up too. Don't need to mess with cables/connectors etc.

regarding not leaving it powered: 1) the cable comes out the long end and it may not even fit well laying flat (I'd need a different type of plug, 90 degree maybe?) and 2) I don't fully know how it would handle that over time - manufacturer claims it functions while plugged in but like to just let batteries cycle and such

My first thought was to get something that was always plugged in hot (not a battery), that I could slide the phone into, attached to the left side of the divider (by the driver right knee) area; easy to access. Couldn't find a charging pad that would support that, too lazy to build something, and noticed my phone fits nicely in the console so for the 25$ it was a win and can be grabbed out of the car for more traditional situations.

I'll go snap some pics here shortly.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by mobilegun

I don't typically take longer trips either (ironically just did one though), but it's handy if a passenger needs to charge up too. Don't need to mess with cables/connectors etc.

regarding not leaving it powered: 1) the cable comes out the long end and it may not even fit well laying flat (I'd need a different type of plug, 90 degree maybe?) and 2) I don't fully know how it would handle that over time - manufacturer claims it functions while plugged in but like to just let batteries cycle and such

My first thought was to get something that was always plugged in hot (not a battery), that I could slide the phone into, attached to the left side of the divider (by the driver right knee) area; easy to access. Couldn't find a charging pad that would support that, too lazy to build something, and noticed my phone fits nicely in the console so for the 25$ it was a win and can be grabbed out of the car for more traditional situations.

I'll go snap some pics here shortly.

Looking forward to seeing your solution. In terms of passengers charging, my passengers tend to be the types that want to use their phones while charging (my kids for the most part), so a wired solution would be preferred for them. I have dual usb C and A power outlets in the front as mentioned as well as both rear outlets. I keep 3/4 coiled cords in the center console. They cool up really small and stretch to 4 feet or so. I’m pretty OCD so I put them all back when not in use. USB-C whether it’s a lightening end or a USB-C end is super fast in terms of charge time.

[kosmokratur]

I've found it easiest to just plug an Apple inductive charger into an adapter plugged into the lighter receptacle inside the console for my 14 Pro Max. The device cited supra looks nice but I like to stow little stuff in the small compartment under the sliding cover between the shifter and the dash. The phone charges quite quickly this way. I do my best to avoid plugging a charger cable into the phone to avoid wearing out the connector - I think inductive charging is brilliant for this reason.

[mobilegun]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Looking forward to seeing your solution. In terms of passengers charging, my passengers tend to be the types that want to use their phones while charging (my kids for the most part), so a wired solution would be preferred for them. I have dual usb C and A power outlets in the front as mentioned as well as both rear outlets. I keep 3/4 coiled cords in the center console. They cool up really small and stretch to 4 feet or so. I’m pretty OCD so I put them all back when not in use. USB-C whether it’s a lightening end or a USB-C end is super fast in terms of charge time.

Agreed on the guests. I have some cables around for that that I stash in the glovebox but the single wireless battery/charger in the console works for me thus far and is mobile in those odd cases I need to bring charging with me out of the car. We'll see how heat/cold cycles treat it but it has a long charge so I haven't had to get something like this yet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CN645NJ3
Might be a good add tho...

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by mobilegun

Agreed on the guests. I have some cables around for that that I stash in the glovebox but the single wireless battery/charger in the console works for me thus far and is mobile in those odd cases I need to bring charging with me out of the car. We'll see how heat/cold cycles treat it but it has a long charge so I haven't had to get something like this yet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CN645NJ3
Might be a good add tho...

Ooohhh, I like that! I would definitely get that 90 degree ribbon cable. I used one of these on my last car with an Apple CarPlay wireless dongle. It worked well. I love trying to find solution for electronics.

I scoured high and low for a solution where I could put a Qi or MagSafe pad inside of one or both of the center console bomb doors. I would love to just place my phone on top of the doors and have it charge.

[mobilegun]

Originally Posted by Joe-BMW33

Ooohhh, I like that! I would definitely get that 90 degree ribbon cable. I used one of these on my last car with an Apple CarPlay wireless dongle. It worked well. I love trying to find solution for electronics.

I scoured high and low for a solution where I could put a Qi or MagSafe pad inside of one or both of the center console bomb doors. I would love to just place my phone on top of the doors and have it charge.

Yeah my initial thoughts were to do so over the cupholder area, or was thinking if there was something like a wireless charger "repeater" that could sit on top of the factory one but act like a booster seat so the larger phones could actually catch a charge signal, but ended up giving up on that. Finding solutions (especially with amazon being as easy as it is) is fun indeed.

So far this works and now am obsessing over the ideal radar detector mount point/extending/redoing hardwire; punching a ctek extension through the firewall somewhere; and bimmercode vs protools.

[britchris1]

I use one of these in the cup holder, fits the standard magsafe wireless charger so it's super easy to slap it on the magnet and it sits nice and low so the phone is out of the way. There's also other brands where you can adjust the height if that's your preference

https://a.co/d/c10NsPp

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by mobilegun

Yeah my initial thoughts were to do so over the cupholder area, or was thinking if there was something like a wireless charger "repeater" that could sit on top of the factory one but act like a booster seat so the larger phones could actually catch a charge signal, but ended up giving up on that. Finding solutions (especially with amazon being as easy as it is) is fun indeed.

So far this works and now am obsessing over the ideal radar detector mount point/extending/redoing hardwire; punching a ctek extension through the firewall somewhere; and bimmercode vs protools.

Ctek makes a plate/port you can put into the trunk by cutting out some of the lining to fit it. You then wire it from behind to the battery. Then all you do is plug into that and plug into the wall when you want to charge. Looks really clean/OEM from pictures I have seen of people who have done it. I have contemplated it, but I pretty much shut my car down for 3-4 months of winter and just attach under the hood to the +/- posts and call it a day.

I use both Bimmercode and Protool. Protool is excellent, but takes in investment in an Android Tablet that I bought just for using Protool.

Amazon is indeed fun for finding solutions. Seems to be nothing they don't make or you can't find. Beats the old days of scouring through the Radio Shack catalogue or going to You Do It Electronics which is a local operation to me that I am like a kid in a candy store in.

[Joe-BMW33]

Originally Posted by britchris1

I use one of these in the cup holder, fits the standard magsafe wireless charger so it's super easy to slap it on the magnet and it sits nice and low so the phone is out of the way. There's also other brands where you can adjust the height if that's your preference

https://a.co/d/c10NsPp

I use a combination of the link below, an original Apple Magsafe circle pad and a ball and dash mount from Proclip made specifically for my E39 and Infiniti. Use this setup more for a mount than a charger for the ease of the magnet on/off.

With Apple Carplay, I have never felt the need to mount my phone on the G30 or X5.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.proclipusa.com/products/...xoCbYQQAvD_BwE

I mount a ball on the Proclip here (double sided tape) and then attach the Amazon Magsafe shell linked about with a Magesafe in it and the wire going to a USB-C power supply. Same for the Infiniti.

[SquareWheels]

Buy a new phone.

I live in TN and bought a new 550 in July. I flew out to WA and saw it for the first time. I had never been in one before. I fell in love as soon as I saw it.

The dealer was great and went over everything with me. Then we did the electronic key, and I tried to put my Samsung S22 Ultra in the charging tray, and it didn't fit, even with the case off. I was very sad. I was lucky and had a cable with me, so I had the phone for the drive home.

I then bought a bigger Galaxy Z Fold 5. It opens, making it a larger square-inch phone than the S22, but it's a tiny bit shorter. I got the Samsung case, and it fits in the charger.